I don't think anyone thought the UT Arlington Volleyball team would continue the .800 winning percentage when it entered the Lobo Classic hosted by the University of New Mexico. They were facing top teams in peer conferences to the Sun Belt as well as New Mexico, which was picked low in a very good Mountain West.
They did not win a match in the tournament. I'm not terribly surprised by that, but am disappointed that they only won one set. Aside from the Lobo match, they fought in most every set and were fairly competitive.
Speaking of the Lobo match, that is the one that I believe they really didn't show up. They scored 17, 18 and 14 respectively against a team that is likely only a little better than Houston. Yes it was a true road match, but I was expecting a better showing. At no point did I think that they were about to make a run and win a set.
They picked up their lone set win in a 3-1 loss to Northern Colorado. They stayed in the match for the most part and seemed to just have a little less than needed. The black eye that I wasn't thrilled about was the fourth and final set, where they scored 18, but the first three I thought showed a lot of grit.
Against Portland, who I thought was the best team going in, the really fought in the first two sets, losing 25-23 and 30-28. Like the previous two matches of the tournament, the final set was their worst outing, losing 25-13.
In fact, that seems to be the first early flaw of the team under J.T. Wenger. They seem pretty consistent until the end, especially if there is an adversity situation. I don't know if it is a conditioning thing or if they are just truly playing better teams. But, it is still way, way too early to see if this is a trend or a blip.
Congrats on Qiana Canete for making the all-tournament team.
Up next for the Mavericks will be their final tournament before Sun Belt Conference play starts, and it comes at home at College Park Center. They'll open the Maverick Classic on Thursday against UC-Davis, who was picked sixth out of nine in the Big West. That conference could be the toughest non-power-five conference in Division I. They currently sit at 5-5, so they will be a good measuring stick for UTA.
On Friday, they have Houston Baptist. It will be the second Southland Conference school, and will be a tougher test than McNeese State was. Their 7-1 record is a bit misleading as the schedule is hardly challenging. However, they were picked fourth in their conference and do have a win over UTSA, a school that historically has been competitive with UTA, but is winless this year. That is their marquee moment this year, so take that for what it is worth.
On Saturday, UTA has a double-header with long-time rival Lamar as well as Arizona State. The Cardinals are 1-5 against a weak schedule and are no where near their historic level. They weren't thought of highly in the preseason either, pegged tenth of 13. Tough to gauge where they are as Hurricane Harvey canceled several matches.
Arizona State will be a tough team. They are 7-2 against a mid-level schedule. They were picked last in the Pac-12, but I think that is the best volleyball conference in the country.
I'm expecting a split this weekend, and am hoping for a 3-1 mark. But I believe that they will be competitive either way. They have a least shown they can play consistent volleyball so far. As a Maverick fan, that is all I ask.
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